EP0610074A2 - Hilfsmittel und System zum Ordnen und Aufbewahren von elektrischen Lichtschnüren - Google Patents

Hilfsmittel und System zum Ordnen und Aufbewahren von elektrischen Lichtschnüren Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0610074A2
EP0610074A2 EP94300768A EP94300768A EP0610074A2 EP 0610074 A2 EP0610074 A2 EP 0610074A2 EP 94300768 A EP94300768 A EP 94300768A EP 94300768 A EP94300768 A EP 94300768A EP 0610074 A2 EP0610074 A2 EP 0610074A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
container
opposite edges
frames
side panels
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94300768A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0610074A3 (de
Inventor
Paul B. Wharton, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KINETICS CONTAINER CORP
Original Assignee
KINETICS CONTAINER CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KINETICS CONTAINER CORP filed Critical KINETICS CONTAINER CORP
Publication of EP0610074A2 publication Critical patent/EP0610074A2/de
Publication of EP0610074A3 publication Critical patent/EP0610074A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/42—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for ampoules; for lamp bulbs; for electronic valves or tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
    • B65D5/50—Internal supporting or protecting elements for contents
    • B65D5/5028—Elements formed separately from the container body

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to devices orsys- tems for organizing, packaging and storing electrical light strings, such as Christmas tree lights strung on an electric cord.
  • Entanglement continues to be a major problem in organizing, packaging and storing cords or other strings wherein a plurality of objects are spaced therealong in a predetermined succession.
  • the most common problematic area involves the use, handling and storage of Christmas tree light strings.
  • other types of lines or cords such as fishing lines, knotted depth lines, etc. also are subject to entanglement problems.
  • strings of Christmas tree lights When first purchased, strings of Christmas tree lights generally come in flat packages or boxes which are designed primarily for display purposes or for stacking on retail store shelves.
  • the original packages or boxes are not particularly suitable for storing the sets of lights in an orderly fashion between seasonal usage.
  • a very common type of original package utilizes a relatively thick polystyrene foam tray which has rows of cavities therein for individually receiving the lights. Channels may connect the cavities and wherein the electric cord is looped or, literally, "stuffed”.
  • An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for organizing and storing an electrical wire cord such as an electrical light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by an electric cord.
  • the device is formed by a generally flat frame having at least two opposite edges provided with a plurality of notches so that the cord may be wrapped about the frame and within the notches.
  • the flat frame is fabricated of thin corrugated paper board with elongated corrugations thereof extending in a direction between the two opposite edges to provide rigidity and support for the frame in the direction of the wraps of the cord.
  • the frame is fabricated of a double-walled construction defined by opposite exterior face sheets and at least one interior intermediate sheet, with elongated corrugations between the interior intermediate sheet and each exterior face sheet.
  • the elongated corrugations between the interior intermediate sheet and each exterior face sheet all extend in a direction between the two opposite edges of the frame.
  • the elongated corrugations between the interior intermediate sheet and one of the exterior face sheets extend in the direction between the two opposite edges, but the elongated corrugations between the interior intermediate sheet and the other of the exterior face sheets extend in a direction between a second pair of opposite edges which, themselves, may have notches therein.
  • a box-like container for use in combination with a plurality of the organizing and storing devices or frames.
  • the container defines a storage compartment sized for receiving a plurality of the organizing and storing devices in a stacked array.
  • the container is fabricated of similar, inexpensive thin corrugated paper board material.
  • a system for organizing and storing electrical light strings would include a plurality of generally flat frames, each frame being of a polygonal configuration (such as rectangular) defined by peripheral edges about which a cord may be wrapped.
  • the box-like container defines a storage compartment of a polygonal configuration (such as rectangular) complementary to the polygonal configuration of the frames.
  • the compartment is sized for receiving a plurality of the frames in a stacked array with the cords wrapped thereabout.
  • the frames may be provided with slits in the peripheral edges thereof for receiving and locking plug ends of the cords.
  • the box-like container is fabricated from a blank which includes at least a plurality of side panels for forming the polygonal storage compartment.
  • a rectangular configuration four side panels would be provided and joined by fold lines so that the container may be opened and closed between an unfolded condition defining the polygonal or rectangular storage compartment and a folded generally flat condition with the side panels in a general accordion configuration.
  • two opposite side panels are provided with intermediate fold lines, whereby the opposite side panels may be folded inwardly between the other two side panels within the bounds thereof.
  • a first embodiment of a device for organizing and storing an electrical wire cord such as an electrical Christmas tree light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by an electric cord.
  • an electrical wire cord such as an electrical Christmas tree light string having a plurality of electric bulbs joined by an electric cord.
  • Organizing and storing device 10 (Fig. 1) is formed as a generally flat frame 12 having two opposite edges 14 and a second pair of opposite edges 16.
  • a plurality of generally equally spaced notches 18 are formed in or cut out of edges 14 of frame 12 so that an electrical cord "C" can be wrapped about the frame and within the notches, as shown in Figure 2.
  • an electrical cord "C” can be wrapped about the frame and within the notches, as shown in Figure 2.
  • one or more individual, interconnected electrical light strings can be wrapped about the frame.
  • slits 20 may be provided in frame 12, near each corner thereof, and into which plug ends of the cords can be received and locked.
  • flat frame 12 be fabricated of corrugated paper board with the elongated corrugations thereof extending in a direction between the opposite edges of the frame about which the cord is wrapped to provide rigidity and support for the frame in the direction of the wraps in the cord.
  • a single ply corrugated board can be used, the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 1Acontemplatesthatframe 12 be fabricated of a double-walled construction defined by opposite exterior face sheets 22 and an interior intermediate sheet 24, with elongated corrugations 26 between the interior intermediate sheet and each exteriorface sheet.
  • the elongated corrugations between interior sheet 24 and exterior face sheets 22 all extend in a direction between opposite edges 14 of frame 12 within which notches 18 are disposed. This construction gives a double rigidifying and supporting effect to the flat frame.
  • Figure 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a device 10' for organizing and storing an electrical wire cord, similar to device 10 in Figures 1-2. Consequently, like numerals have been applied in Figure 3 corresponding to like components described above in relation to Figures 1-2.
  • notches 28 are provided in opposite edges 16 of frame 12, in addition to notches 18 in opposite edges 14.
  • the elongated corrugations 26' between the top face sheet and the interior sheet of the corrugated construction extend in the direction of opposite edges 14 of the frame
  • the elongated corrugations 26" between the interior sheet and the bottom exteriorface sheet of the corrugated construction extend in the direction of opposite edges 16 of the frame.
  • corrugations 26" are generally perpendicular to corrugations 26'.
  • electrical light strings may be wrapped in loops about opposite edges 14 of frame 12, within notches 18, or the light string may be wound about edges 16, within notches 28, or both.
  • This construction might be applicable for use with lightweight "Italian" Christmas tree light bulb strings, whereas the more singularly directed reinforcement construction of device 10 in Figures 1 and 1A is more applicable for heavier duty outdoor Christmas tree light strings where there would be more of a tendency to apply excessive pressures in wrapping the electric cord about the frame.
  • corrugated paper board material of frames 12 also lend themselves to being impregnated with a fire proofing or fire retardant substance.
  • the invention contemplates a system for organizing and storing electrical wire cords such as the Christmas tree light strings, wherein devices 10 (Fig. 1) and/or 10' (Fig. 3), themselves, can be stored in a container, generally designated 30, between seasonal uses.
  • Figure 4 shows a cutout area 32 of container 30 to illustrate a plurality of devices 10 received in the container in a stacked array.
  • Figure 5 shows the container with a lid thereof partially open, and
  • Figure 6 shows the container in open condition with one of the devices 10 being lifted out of the container for use.
  • at least the two side edges 16 (Figs. 1 and 3) are provided with cutouts 36 to facilitate placing the devices in and lifting the devices out of the container, as by a user's finger(s), in a flat stacked array, instead of an edge-wise array which would cause entanglement problems.
  • container 30 is of a box-like configuration fabricated of lightweight, inexpensive corrugated paper board material.
  • the container includes a front wall or panel 38, a rear wall or panel 40 and a pair of side walls or panels 42 which combine to define an interior storage compartment, as indicated at 44 in Figure 6.
  • Side walls 42 are joined to front and rear walls 38 and 40, respectively, by fold lines 46 and 48, respectively.
  • a top lid 50 is joined to the top edge of rear wall 48 by a fold line 52 which is in the form of a "reverse-bend" line.
  • a pair of inside bottom wall flaps 54 (Fig. 5) are joined to side walls 42 by fold lines 56, and a second pair of outside bottom wall flaps 58 are joined to front and rear walls 38 and 40 by fold lines 60.
  • inwardly foldable flanges 62 are provided along the top edges of side walls 42 for folding inwardly along fold lines 64 to assist in completely closing compartment 44 and to provide rigidity for the top of the side walls, and a front flange 66 extends along the front edge of lid 50 for folding downwardly along a fold line 68 for tucking the lid inside front wall 38 as seen in Figure 4.
  • the front wall may have a cutout 70 (Fig. 4) for facilitating lifting the lid and opening the container.
  • the invention contemplates a system which includes the combination of devices 10 or 10' for organizing and storing a plurality of electrical wire cords or light strings, and then storing the individual devices within container 30 in an organized stacked array during off-season non-use.
  • Both devices 10 (10') and container 30 are fabricated of inexpensive lightweight cardboard material, but the nature and specific construction of the corrugated paper board is used to specific advantages in its structural orientation in relation to organizing and storing the electrical light strings.
  • FIG. 7 Another aspect of the invention is shown in Figure 7 and further in the original container blank of Figure 8, wherein container 30, itself, can be folded in a compact condition of a width not significantly wider than the organizing and storing devices 10 (10'), themselves.
  • FIG. 7 it can be seen that the various walls or panels of container 30 (Figs. 4-6) are in an accordion-like folded condition, with front and rear walls 38 and 40, respectively, facing outwardly, and with bottom wall flaps 58 depending downwardly therefrom.
  • This folded condition of the container defines a package having a width "A" which is only slightly wider than the organizing and storing devices 10 (10'), themselves.
  • width "A" is equal to the interior dimensions of compartment 44 plus the thicknesses of the corrugated material.
  • the size of the compartment need not be much larger than the dimensions of frames 12 of devices 10 (10'), because the electric cords seat within notches 18 or 28 in the edges of the frame, and the bulbs of the cords can be shifted slightly so as not to become wedged between the edges of the frame and the interior of the container compartment.
  • side walls 42 include intermediate or central fold lines 72, whereby the side walls or panels may be folded inwardly between front and rear walls or panels 38 and 40, respectively, in an accordion-folded configuration as shown by the folded condition of flaps 62 in Figure 7 at the top edges of side walls 42. Then, lid 50 can be reverse-bent to lay along the back side of the configuration, as indicated by arrow "D".
  • Figure 8 shows a blank "B" from which container 30 (Figs. 4-6) can be formed.
  • front and rear walls or panels 38 and 40 respectively, side walls or panels 42, top lid 50, inside bottom flaps 54, and outside bottom flaps 58 all are shown in the flat blank "B" of Figure 8.
  • the fold lines described above, along with flanges 62 at the top edges of side panels 42 and front flange 66 at the front edge of lid 50 also are shown in the flat blank configuration.
  • Figure 8 shows that rear panel 40 includes a flange 74 joined to its outer edge by a fold line 76.
  • blank "B” is folded into a sort of rectangular "chimney” configuration, whereby flange 74 is located inside the right-hand side panel 42, as viewed in Figure 8, and the flange is affixed to the side wall by an appropriate adhesive, whereupon the flange is located at a position indicated by dotted line 78.
  • side panels 42 can be folded inwardly along fold lines 72, in an accordion fashion, whereupon the container can be completely folded to its storage or handling condition shown in Figure 7, with lid 50 being folded backwards along the outside of the structure.
  • front and rear panels 38 and 40 simply are pulled apart, whereupon side panels 42 open and assume a generally flat configuration from the accordion condition shown in Figure 7.
  • Inside bottom flaps 54 then are folded inwardly and, thereafter, outside bottom flaps 56 are folded inwardly as shown in Figure 5.
  • the outside bottom flaps have V-shaped notches or cutouts 80 at the mid-point of their free edges, whereby the bottom flaps 56 can be snapped into interengagement as shown at the bottom of Figure 5 without the use of adhesive, tape or other securing means.
  • the container shown in Figure 5 then is ready to be loaded with a plurality of the organizing and storing devices 10 (10') as indicated in Figure 6 by arrow "C".
  • lid 52 is closed as shown in Figure 4, and the organizing and storing system of the invention, including the container and its stored organizing and storing devices, can be packed away for use at the next Christmas season.
  • a plurality of devices 10 have been fabricated on the order of fourteen-inches square, with a container 30 having a storage compartment 44 fourteen and one fourth inches square and twelve inches deep.
  • a system can accommodate five sets of conventional outdoor Christmas lights, seven sets of conventional indoor Christmas lights, nine sets of Italian Christmas lights without reflectors and twelve sets of conventional Italian Christmas lights with reflectors, all for a minimal expense due to the lightweight cost-effective construction of the system of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
EP94300768A 1993-02-03 1994-02-02 Hilfsmittel und System zum Ordnen und Aufbewahren von elektrischen Lichtschnüren. Withdrawn EP0610074A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US1300793A 1993-02-03 1993-02-03
US13007 1993-02-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0610074A2 true EP0610074A2 (de) 1994-08-10
EP0610074A3 EP0610074A3 (de) 1994-12-28

Family

ID=21757831

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94300768A Withdrawn EP0610074A3 (de) 1993-02-03 1994-02-02 Hilfsmittel und System zum Ordnen und Aufbewahren von elektrischen Lichtschnüren.

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0610074A3 (de)
CA (1) CA2114407A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1152184A1 (de) * 2000-05-03 2001-11-07 Pui-Hing Tsui Bausatz für beleuchtete Rahmen und Verfahren zu ihrer Anordnung und Verteilung
US6394623B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2002-05-28 Neon King Limited Translucent flexible rope light and methods of forming and using same

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2984347A (en) * 1958-10-01 1961-05-16 Donald W Kalinchuk Packaging and storage devices for cords strung with a succession of spaced objects
US3384227A (en) * 1966-08-29 1968-05-21 William L. Spatz Christmas tree lights storage container
US3878941A (en) * 1973-08-20 1975-04-22 Gerald Kelner Package for Christmas tree light bulbs
US4744464A (en) * 1985-10-31 1988-05-17 General Electric Company Ribbon blown glass article transport
GB8818537D0 (en) * 1988-08-04 1988-09-07 Carding Spec Canada Yarn re-structuring method & apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1152184A1 (de) * 2000-05-03 2001-11-07 Pui-Hing Tsui Bausatz für beleuchtete Rahmen und Verfahren zu ihrer Anordnung und Verteilung
US6394623B1 (en) 2000-07-14 2002-05-28 Neon King Limited Translucent flexible rope light and methods of forming and using same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2114407A1 (en) 1994-08-04
EP0610074A3 (de) 1994-12-28

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